Boris Tadić

Tadić was born in Sarajevo, the capital of the People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a republic within the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia. His father, Ljubomir, was a philosopher and a member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts. His mother, Nevenka, was a psychologist. His maternal grandfather and up to six other relatives were killed by the Croatian Ustaše during World War II.{{Cite web|last=Tadić|first=Boris|title=Биографија: Због чега сам почео да се бавим политиком (Biography: Why I got into politics)|language=sr|publisher=Democratic Party (Serbia) |url=http://www.boristadic.org/index.php?stranica=kom_clanak&naredba=prikaz_naslovi_levo&id=19&br_stranice=&sortiranje=&id_kategorija=27&nadredjena= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080101025930/http://www.boristadic.org/index.php?stranica=kom_clanak&naredba=prikaz_naslovi_levo&id=19&br_stranice=&sortiranje=&id_kategorija=27&nadredjena=|archive-date=1 January 2008|url-status=dead}}

The Tadićs are descendants of the Serb clan of Piva, in the region of Old Herzegovina, Montenegro. The family's slava (patron saint) is Saint John the Baptist.{{cite web|url=http://www.vesti.rs/Vesti/Boris-Tadic-na-poslu-i-na-dan-krsne-slave.html|title=Boris Tadić na poslu i na dan krsne slave!|publisher=Vesti.rs|access-date=30 May 2011}} His parents frequently relocated between various cities and had moved to Sarajevo from Paris, where they pursued their doctoral studies, only a few days prior to his birth. Tadić and his family moved to Belgrade when he was three years old, and his father got a job at the newspaper Liberation (Oslobođenje).{{cite web|url=http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=101000&g=20060904141200&lng=eng&hs1=0|title=Biography|publisher=General Secretariat of the President of Serbia|access-date=16 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119224110/http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=101000&g=20060904141200&lng=eng&hs1=0|archive-date=19 January 2009|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|last=Tadić|first=Boris|title=Биографија: Živeli smo skromno|language=sr|publisher=Democratic Party (Serbia)|url=http://www.boristadic.org/index.php?stranica=kom_clanak&naredba=prikaz_naslovi_levo&id=16&br_stranice=&sortiranje=&id_kategorija=27&nadredjena=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080101025915/http://www.boristadic.org/index.php?stranica=kom_clanak&naredba=prikaz_naslovi_levo&id=16&br_stranice=&sortiranje=&id_kategorija=27&nadredjena=|archive-date=1 January 2008|url-status=dead}}

Tadić finished Pera Popović Aga (today Mika Petrović Alas){{cite web|url=http://arhiva.glas-javnosti.rs/arhiva/2000/09/12/srpski/P00091002.shtm|title=Ko je ovaj čovek? Boris Tadić|publisher=Arhiva.glas-javnosti.rs|access-date=30 May 2011}} elementary school and matriculated at the First Belgrade Gymnasium in Dorćol. During his teenage years he played water polo for VK Partizan, but had to quit due to injuries. He graduated from the University of Belgrade Faculty of Philosophy with a degree in psychology, specifically social psychology in the department of clinical psychology.

He was arrested during his studies in July 1982 for protesting the arrest of a group of students, arrested for protesting against martial law in Poland and in support of the Solidarity movement. Tadić spent one month in penal labour prison in Padinska Skela.{{cite web |last1=Popov |first1=Nebojša |title=Disidentska skrivalica |url=http://www.yurope.com/zines/republika/arhiva/2000/242-243/242-243_21.html |website=yurope.com |publisher=Republika |access-date=25 December 2018 |language=sr |date=August 2000}}{{cite web|last=Tadić|first=Boris|script-title=sr:Биографија: Ја сам данас председник Србије|publisher=Democratic Party (Serbia)|language=sr|url=http://www.boristadic.org/index.php?stranica=kom_clanak&naredba=prikaz_naslovi_levo&id=20&br_stranice=&sortiranje=&id_kategorija=27&nadredjena=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225143517/http://www.boristadic.org/index.php?stranica=kom_clanak&naredba=prikaz_naslovi_levo&id=20&br_stranice=&sortiranje=&id_kategorija=27&nadredjena=|archive-date=25 February 2008|url-status=dead}}

He worked as a journalist, military clinical psychologist and as a teacher of psychology at the First Belgrade Gymnasium. Until 2003, Tadić also worked at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts at the University of Arts in Belgrade as a lecturer of political advertising. He is a Senior Network Member at the European Leadership Network (ELN).{{Cite web|title=Senior Network|url=https://www.europeanleadershipnetwork.org/networks/network-members/|access-date=21 September 2020|website=www.europeanleadershipnetwork.org|language=en-GB}}

File:Boris Tadic.jpg in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, 2003]]

Tadić joined the newly founded Democratic Party in 1990. He served as an MP and member of the parliamentary Science and Technology Committee following the 1993 Serbian parliamentary election.

Boris Tadić founded the Centre of Modern Skills (Centar modernih veština, CMV) in 1998, an NGO dealing with political and civic education, and the development of the political culture and dialogue.{{Cite web|date=4 November 2006|title=Ko smo (Who we are)|language=sr|publisher=Centar modernih veština (CMV)|url=http://www.cmv.org.rs/content/blogcategory/63/107/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100509040224/http://www.cmv.org.rs/content/blogcategory/63/107/|archive-date=9 May 2010|url-status=dead}}

The Democratic Party was part of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS), a grand coalition of anti-Milošević parties which played a key role in his downfall in 2000. Tadić was elected deputy leader of the Democratic Party twice, in February 2000 and then in October 2001.

Tadić served as Minister of Telecommunications in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from November 2000 to March 2003 and as Minister of Defence from March 2003 until he started his presidential campaign in April 2004. He served as an MP of the Democratic Party in the Chamber of Citizens of the Federal Assembly and later went on to be the acting parliamentary leader of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia coalition in 2003, the president of the Security Services Control Committee, as well as the parliamentary leader of the Democratic Party in the National Assembly of Serbia starting in February 2004.

The assassination of Zoran Đinđić in March 2003 led to a leadership convention of the Democratic Party in February 2004, which was won by Tadić against Zoran Živković.{{cite web|title=Boris Tadić novi predsednik DS-a, Čedomir Jovanović nije prošao (Boris Tadic, the new president of the Democratic Party, Cedomir Jovanovic is out)|date=22 February 2004|publisher=B92|url=http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2004&mm=02&dd=22&nav_id=133400&nav_category=11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104122800/http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2004&mm=02&dd=22&nav_id=133400&nav_category=11|archive-date=4 November 2012|url-status=live}} He was later reelected unopposed in regular leadership conventions in 2006 and 2010.

File:Novi Dvor (1).JPG, the seat of the President of Serbia]]

Tadić, as the newly elected Democratic Party leader, was chosen as the candidate for the presidential election. He defeated Tomislav Nikolić of the nationalist Radical Party in the run-off of the 2004 presidential election with 53%{{cite web|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1079381.html|title=Serbia: Tadic, Nikolic Headed For Second-Round Showdown |publisher=Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty RFE/RL|access-date=2 April 2009}} of the vote. He was inaugurated on 11 July of that year.{{cite web|url=http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=101500&g=20060904151245&lng=eng&hs1=1|title=President of all citizens|publisher=General Secretariat of the President of Serbia|access-date=16 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090121042502/http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=101500&g=20060904151245&lng=eng&hs1=1|archive-date=21 January 2009|url-status=dead}}

During the 2004 election campaign, Tadić promised to form a new special institution called the People's Office. The People's Office of the President of the Republic was opened on 1 October 2004. The role of the People's Office is to make communication between the citizens and the President easier, and to cooperate between other state bodies and institutions, in order to enable the citizens of Serbia to exercise their rights. The People's Office of the President is divided into four divisions: Legal Affairs Division, Social Affairs Division, Projects Division and General Affairs Division. The first Director of the People's Office was Dragan Đilas. When he joined the Government of Serbia as the Minister in charge of the National Investment Plan in 2007, Tatjana Pašić became the new Director.{{cite web | title=Kancelarija | publisher=People's office of the President of the Republic |url=http://www.narodnakancelarija.rs/lat/kancelarija.htm | access-date=26 December 2008 | language=sr | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091031235730/http://www.narodnakancelarija.rs/lat/kancelarija.htm | archive-date=31 October 2009 | url-status=dead}}

Tadić advocated cooperation and reconciliation of the former Yugoslav countries, strained by the burden of the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s. On 6 December 2004, Boris Tadić made an apology in Bosnia and Herzegovina to all those who suffered crimes committed in the name of the Serbian people.{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4072949.stm|title=Serb leader apologises in Bosnia|newspaper=BBC News|date=6 December 2004|access-date=30 May 2011}} In July 2005, Tadić visited the Bosnian town of Srebrenica on the 10th anniversary of massacre of 8,000 Muslim men and boys by Bosnian Serb forces.{{Cite news|title=Timeline: Serbia's troubled path to EU accession talks|date=22 April 2013|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/04/22/timeline-lives-of-tamerlan-and-dzhokhar-tsarnaev-2006-2013/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722202118/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-04-22/business/sns-rt-us-serbia-eubre93l0ic-20130422_1_serbia-and-montenegro-serbia-arrests-boris-tadic|archive-date=22 July 2013|url-status=live}} In 2007, Tadić issued an apology to Croatia for any crimes committed in Serbia's name during the war in Croatia.{{Cite web|last=Beta|first=Tanjug |title=Tadić apologized to Croatian citizens|publisher=B92|date=24 June 2007|url=http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2007&mm=06&dd=24&nav_category=11&nav_id=252551|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626153017/http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2007&mm=06&dd=24&nav_id=252551&nav_category=11|archive-date=26 June 2007|url-status=live}}

Tadić presided during the independence referendum in Montenegro (2006). He was the first foreign head of state to visit Montenegro after it became independent on 8 June, and promised to continue friendly relations. Serbia declared independence as well, and Tadić attended the first raising of the flag of Serbia at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.{{cite web|url=http://www.voanews.com/Serbian/archive/2006-06/2006-06-08-voa2.cfm |title=Zastava Srbije od danas se vijori ispred zgrade Ujedinjenih nacija u Njujorku |publisher=VOA News |access-date=16 February 2008 |language=sr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122010521/http://www.voanews.com/Serbian/archive/2006-06/2006-06-08-voa2.cfm |archive-date=22 January 2008 |url-status=dead}}

On 6 September 2007, Tadić was a signatory of the agreement that led to the formation of the Council for Cooperation between Serbia and Republika Srpska, together with Milorad Dodik and Vojislav Koštunica.{{cite web|url=http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=304500&g=20070906161450&lng=lat&hs1=0|title=Predsednik Tadić na konstituisanju Veća za saradnju Republike Srpske i Srbije|publisher=General Secretariat of the President of Serbia|date=6 September 2007|access-date=16 February 2008|language=sr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005005626/http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=304500&g=20070906161450&lng=lat&hs1=0|archive-date=5 October 2011|url-status=dead}} In late 2007, he stated that Serbia does not support a break-up of Bosnia and Herzegovina and that, as a guarantor of the Dayton Accords that brought peace to Bosnia, he supports its territorial integrity. Tadić also said that Serbia supports the accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the EU,{{cite web|url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/in_focus.php?id=251&start=0&nav_id=45847 |title=Policy of peace Serbia's goal – Tadić |date=12 January 2007 |publisher=B92.net |access-date=30 May 2011}} and NATO.{{cite web |url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/region-article.php?yyyy=2009&mm=09&dd=19&nav_id=61844 |title=Inzko: Break-up of Bosnia not option, published 19 Sept 2009, accessed same day |publisher=B92.net |access-date=30 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607154023/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/region-article.php?yyyy=2009&mm=09&dd=19&nav_id=61844 |archive-date=7 June 2011}}

As President, Tadić has pursued a pro-Western foreign policy. On 28 September 2005, he met with Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican City, making him the first Serbian head of state to be granted an audience with a pope. This helped improve traditionally strained Catholic-Orthodox relations.{{cite web|url=http://www.catholicpressphoto.com/servizi/2005-09-29-presidente-sebia/default.htm |title=Pope Benedict XVI meet Boris Tadic President of Serbia at the Vatican September 29, 2005. |publisher=Catholic Press Photo |access-date=16 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212160621/http://www.catholicpressphoto.com/servizi/2005-09-29-presidente-sebia/default.htm |archive-date=12 February 2008 |url-status=dead}}

On 22 June 2007, Tadić presided over the 1000th meeting of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers in Belgrade.{{cite web|url=http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=303500&g=20070629102735&lng=eng&hs1=0|title=President Tadić's speech at the opening of the 1000th session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe|publisher=General Secretariat of the President of Serbia|date=22 June 2007|access-date=16 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917164637/http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=303500&g=20070629102735&lng=eng&hs1=0|archive-date=17 September 2011|url-status=dead}}

Contrary to his earlier decision in the 2004 Kosovan parliamentary election, Tadić stated that he had no right to call on Kosovo Serbs to vote in the 2007 Kosovo parliamentary election, as the standards he asked for in 2004 were not reached.{{cite web|url=http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=304500&g=20070912171752&lng=lat&hs1=0|title=Tadić: Nemam prava da pozovem Srbe da izađu na izbore|publisher=General Secretariat of the President of Serbia|date=12 September 2007|access-date=16 February 2008|language=sr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005005710/http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=304500&g=20070912171752&lng=lat&hs1=0|archive-date=5 October 2011|url-status=dead}}

File:Boris Tadic election logo.png

Boris Tadić has advocated an early presidential election that is required under constitutional law, since the adoption of the new Constitution of Serbia, after the successful constitutional referendum in October 2006. On 13 December 2007, the speaker of the Parliament, Oliver Dulić, set the election date for 20 January 2008. The Democratic Party submitted the candidacy of its leader to the Republic Electoral Commission on 21 December. Tadić held his first election convention on 22 December, in Novi Sad.[http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2007&mm=12&dd=21&nav_id=46347 Tadić formally submits presidential candidacy] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221124818/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2007&mm=12&dd=21&nav_id=46347 |date=21 February 2008 }} The re-election campaign was led under the slogan ”For a strong and stable Serbia“ (За Јаку и Стабилну Србију) in the first round and "Let's win Europe together!" (Да освојимо Европу заједно!) in the second. Tadić advocated integration of Serbia into the European Union but also territorial integrity of Serbia with sovereignty over Kosovo and Metohija. As a part of a campaign, Boris Tadić answered the 10 most interesting questions every week through the campaign website in the form of video response on YouTube.[http://www.boristadic.org/index.php?stranica=kom_pitajte_predsednika&naredba=nov Boris Tadić – Postavi pitanje predsedniku]

Tadić received support from G17 Plus and Sanjak Democratic Party, partners from the Government. He also received support of various national minority parties including Hungarian and Romani parties. He received 1,457,030 votes (35.39 per cent) in the first round. In the second round on 3 February 2008, he faced Tomislav Nikolić and won the election with 2,304,467 votes (50.31 per cent).{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7225455.stm|title=Serbia election victory for Tadic|publisher=BBC |date=4 February 2008|access-date=16 February 2008}} After the election he assured Serbian citizens in Kosovo that they would never be betrayed.[http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=04&nav_id=47449 Tadić: Now is time for hard work] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080205040816/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=04&nav_id=47449 |date=5 February 2008 }}

Tadić was sworn in at the inauguration ceremony on 15 February 2008 in the National Assembly of Serbia.{{cite web|url=http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=15&nav_category=11&nav_id=285045|title=Tadić položio zakletvu|publisher=B92|date=15 February 2008|access-date=16 February 2008|language=sr}}[http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=15&nav_category=11&nav_id=285045 Inauguracija Borisa Tadića]

The Assembly of Kosovo proclaimed a declaration of independence on 17 February 2008.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7249034.stm|title=Kosovo MPs proclaim independence|publisher=BBC |date=17 February 2008|access-date=25 February 2008}} Boris Tadić urged a United Nations Security Council meeting to react urgently and annul the act. He also said that Belgrade would never recognise the independence of Kosovo and would never give up the struggle for its legitimate interests.{{cite web|url=http://www.bnr.bg/RadioBulgaria/Emission_English/News/en1902dkM1.htm|title=President Boris Tadic urges UN Security Council to annul Kosovo independence|publisher=BNR|date=19 February 2008|access-date=25 February 2008}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Russia backed Serbia's position and President Vladimir Putin said that any support for Kosovo's unilateral declaration is immoral and illegal.{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/14/content_7604675.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217221925/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/14/content_7604675.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 February 2008|title=Putin: supports for Kosovo unilateral independence 'immoral, illegal'|agency=Xinhua News Agency|date=14 February 2008|access-date=25 February 2008}}

On 21 February Tadić met President of Romania Traian Băsescu in Bucharest where he thanked him for Romanian support and stated that "Serbia will not give up its future in Europe".

Tadić said that Serbia would never recognise an independent Kosovo.{{Cite news|title=US Official Urges Serbia to Embrace Future with Europe |newspaper=Voice of America News|date=27 October 2009|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2008-03-04-voa67-66638737/557024.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312192240/http://www.voanews.com/content/a-13-2008-03-04-voa67-66638737/557024.html|archive-date=12 March 2014|url-status=live}} He stated that the problem of Kosovo was not solved by the unilaterally declared independence and that the decade-long problems between Serbs and Albanians still exist. He called the international institutions to find a solution within the UN Security Council, for the continuation of negotiations.{{cite web |url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=03&dd=18&nav_id=48545 |title=Tadić warns of "legal vacuum" in Kosovo |publisher=B92 |date=18 March 2008 |access-date=14 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421153853/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=03&dd=18&nav_id=48545 |archive-date=21 April 2008}} He also called a decision made by the US President George W. Bush to send arms to Kosovo "bad news".{{cite web |url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=03&dd=21&nav_id=48653 |title=Lavrov says Bush arms to Kosovo illegitimate |publisher=B92 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324174332/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=03&dd=21&nav_id=48653 |archive-date=24 March 2008}}

File:Robert Fico and Boris Tadić.jpg in Belgrade.]]

Tadić also said that Serbia would not accept the legality of the EU's planned policing and judiciary mission for Kosovo.{{cite web|title=Serbian president says his country does not want isolation|work=International Herald Tribune |date=21 February 2008|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/21/europe/EU-GEN-Romania-Serbia.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308110544/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/21/europe/EU-GEN-Romania-Serbia.php|archive-date=8 March 2008|url-status=dead}} On 25 February 2008, Boris Tadić met with Dmitry Medvedev and Sergei Lavrov in Belgrade where Medvedev stated that "We proceed from the understanding that Serbia is a single state with its jurisdiction spanning its entire territory, and we will adhere to this principled stance in the future, We have made a deal to coordinate together our efforts in order to get out of this complicated situation". Agreement on the South Stream pipeline was also signed during this visit.{{Cite news|date=25 February 2008|title=Putin's heir backs Serbia in Kosovo spat|agency=Agence France-Presse|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iA1V0xqhv5nCfQR9j0NCaI30eprg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229013017/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iA1V0xqhv5nCfQR9j0NCaI30eprg|archive-date=29 February 2008|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|last=MacDonald|first=Neil|title=Medvedev in show of support for Serbia|newspaper=The Financial Times|date=25 February 2008|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/de8f95e0-e3ae-11dc-8799-0000779fd2ac.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226161554/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/de8f95e0-e3ae-11dc-8799-0000779fd2ac.html|archive-date=26 February 2008|url-status=dead}}

File:Kaczynski and Tadic, at the 63rd UNGA in New York.jpg, late President of Poland, at the 63rd UN General Assembly session in September 2008]]

On 5 April 2008, Tadić called the acquittal of Ramush Haradinaj "disgraceful because of the innocent victims" and demanded the ICTY to appeal. He said that Serbia wishes to help the Tribunal to collect evidence "because Haradinaj’s place is in prison". He said that former Hague Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte had said that witnesses in the case against Haradinaj had been intimidated and even murdered to prevent them testifying to his crimes.{{cite web |url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/crimes-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=04&dd=05&nav_id=49136 |title=Tadić demands appeal against Haradinaj verdict |publisher=B92 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406163905/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/crimes-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=04&dd=05&nav_id=49136 |archive-date=6 April 2008}}

Following the Republic of Kosovo's formation of the Kosovo Security Forces in January 2009, he sent protest letters both to the{{clarify|date=May 2017|reason=UN?}} and NATO Secretaries-General. The letter states that Serbia views those forces as an illegal paramilitary organisation that constitutes a threat to the country's security and a danger to peace and stability in the Western Balkans. Tadić drew attention to the fact that the KSF were formed on the basis of the Ahtisaari Plan that was never adopted by the Security Council and added that the creation of these forces constitutes a breach of the Serbian Constitution and international law, which is why they should be disbanded. He called for the demilitarisation of Kosovo.{{cite web |url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2009&mm=01&dd=23&nav_id=56620 |title=Tadić letter arrives in UN |publisher=B92.net |access-date=30 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607155324/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2009&mm=01&dd=23&nav_id=56620 |archive-date=7 June 2011}}

On 13 March 2008, President Tadić signed a decree dissolving the country's parliament and slating early parliamentary elections for 11 May.{{cite web|url=http://finchannel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8292&Itemid=38 |title=Serbia's Tadic dissolves parliament, slates election for 11 May |publisher=The Financial |access-date=15 June 2012}} Boris Tadić gathered a large pro-EU coalition around his Democratic Party and G17 Plus for the Serbian parliamentary election in 2008, named “For a European Serbia – Boris Tadić". The coalition list was led by Dragoljub Mićunović and it also included Sanjak Democratic Party, Serbian Renewal Movement and League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina.{{cite web|last=Beta|first=Tanjug |title=Predata lista 'Za evropsku Srbiju' (List submitted 'For a European Serbia')|date=20 March 2008|publisher=B92 |language=sr|url=http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2008&mm=03&dd=20&nav_id=290048|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324024149/http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2008&mm=03&dd=20&nav_id=290048|archive-date=24 March 2008|url-status=live}} The coalition won 38% of the vote, more than any other list.see: 2008 Serbian parliamentary election He condemnеd remarks regarding the election made by Javier Solana and Pieter Feith and called on the European Union not to interfere with Serbian elections.{{Cite web|title=Serbia's Parties Slam Solana Over EU Deal |date=9 April 2008|publisher=Balkan Insight|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/9247/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412032620/http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/9247/|archive-date=12 April 2008|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|title=Тадић: Питер Фејт нема мандат да се бави изборима у Србији (Tadić: Pieter Feith has no mandate to deal with the elections in Serbia)|language=sr|publisher=Predsednik.rs |date=8 April 2008|url=http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=301500&g=20080408115900&lng=cir&hs1=0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005005721/http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=301500&g=20080408115900&lng=cir&hs1=0|archive-date=5 October 2011 |url-status=dead}}

Tadić said that he was ready, authorised as per Vienna Convention,{{cite web |url=http://www.blic.co.rs/news.php?id=1815 |title=Tadic authorized as per Vienna Convention |publisher=Blic |date=24 March 2008 |access-date=24 December 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729051331/http://www.blic.co.rs/news.php?id=1815 |archive-date=29 July 2012 |url-status=dead}} to sign the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union if it were offered on 28 April, but not at the price of recognising Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence.{{cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-04/11/content_7962395.htm |title=President: Serbia willing to sign EU pre-membership agreement, but only including Kosovo |publisher=China View |date=11 April 2008 |access-date=24 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112025952/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-04/11/content_7962395.htm |archive-date=12 January 2009}} Tadić attended the signing of the SAA ceremony in Luxembourg on 29 April, where the Deputy Prime Minister Božidar Đelić signed the document on behalf of Serbia, as per the authorisation of the Government from December 2007. He was opposed by the then Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica who believed that Serbia ought not to sign any agreements with the European Union.{{cite web|title=Koštunica: Nikako ne potpisati SSP (Koštunica: No way the SSP agreement should be signed)|publisher=MTS Mondo |date=9 April 2008|language=sr |url=http://www.mtsmondo.com/news/world/text.php?vest=93149 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616045007/http://www.mtsmondo.com/news/world/text.php?vest=93149|archive-date=16 June 2008|url-status=dead}} While, on 1 May, Koštunica said that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was right when he said that the SAA should have been signed, he nonetheless vowed to annul the agreement after the parliamentary elections, calling it "not in the service of Serbia's territorial integrity."{{Cite web|url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=05&dd=01&nav_id=49898 |title= Koštunica agrees with Lavrov: SAA long overdue |publisher=B92 |date=1 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502133544/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=05&dd=01&nav_id=49898|archive-date=2 May 2008|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=EU deal signature will be annulled |publisher=B92 |date=2 May 2008 |url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=05&dd=02&nav_id=49912 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503193600/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=05&dd=02&nav_id=49912 |archive-date=3 May 2008 |url-status=dead}}

On 27 June 2008, Tadić named Mirko Cvetković for the new Prime Minister, following the victory of his party coalition in parliamentary election that took place in May. Cvetković was sworn in after giving the oath in the National Assembly on 7 July 2008.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/28/world/europe/28serbia.html?ref=world |title=Serbs Choose New Premier for Coalition |work=The New York Times |date=28 June 2008 |access-date=24 December 2008 | first=Dan | last=Bilefsky}}

Following the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, and Russian recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Tadić refused to follow suit, saying that even though he respects the Russian support to Serbia regarding Kosovo, "Serbia is not going to recognise these so-called new countries". He stated that "Serbia is not going to do something that is against our interest, because we are defending our territorial integrity and sovereignty by using international law" and that by constitution he must defend the interests of Serbia, and not the interests of any other country in the world.{{cite web|url=http://balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/12837/ |title=Serbia Won't Recognise Georgia Regions |publisher=BalkanInsight |date=3 September 2008 |access-date=24 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915042103/http://balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/12837/ |archive-date=15 September 2008 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.rts.rs/page/stories/ci.html?view=story&id=14645§ionId=1 |title=Тадић: Европски пут Србије |publisher=RTS | access-date=24 December 2008}}

File:Boris Tadic and Dmitry Medvedev.jpg sealed the deal regarding the construction of a South Stream gas pipeline in December 2008]]

Tadić invoked his constitutional powers of Commander-in-Chief of the Military of Serbia and dismissed the Chief of the General Staff Zdravko Ponoš on 30 December 2008. Ponoš made public accusations against the Defence Minister Dragan Šutanovac in the media. It was also revealed that he ignored the minister and has not submitted a single report in a year.{{cite web|url=http://www.emportal.rs/en/news/serbia/74569.html |title=Tadic dismisses Chief of General Staff Ponos |publisher=Emportal.rs |access-date=30 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728011630/http://www.emportal.rs/en/news/serbia/74569.html |archive-date=28 July 2011 }}{{cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-12/31/content_10583474.htm |title=Serbian army chief of general staff dismissed over dispute with defense minister |agency=Xinhua News Agency |date=31 December 2008 |access-date=30 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023090544/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-12/31/content_10583474.htm |archive-date=23 October 2012}}

File:Stavros Lambrinidis, Boris Tadić & Vuk Jeremić.jpg with Serbian President Boris Tadić and Foreign Minister of Serbia Vuk Jeremić]]

In April 2009, Tadić announced a constitutional reform proposal. His initiative includes the proposal to reduce the number of the National Assembly members from 250 to 150 to better reflect the size of the country followed by changes in law on party registration and financing in order to consolidate similar parties and limit those with little support which should bring Serbia closer to a two-party system. The second proposed amendment would change the administrative division of Serbia by dividing it into more autonomous regions in order to achieve a more balanced development. This change would lead to Serbia's being divided into seven regions instead of the current asymmetrical division which includes two autonomous provinces but where the majority of the territory has no special autonomy.{{cite web|url=http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/setimes/newsbriefs/2009/04/30/nb-02 |title=Serbia's Tadic announces constitutional reform proposals |work=Southeast European Times |date=30 April 2009 |access-date=30 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615180140/http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/setimes/newsbriefs/2009/04/30/nb-02 |archive-date=15 June 2011 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.emportal.rs/en/news/serbia/87380.html |title=Tadic: Constitution must ensure balanced development |publisher=Emportal.rs |access-date=30 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728013834/http://www.emportal.rs/en/news/serbia/87380.html |archive-date=28 July 2011 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.blic.rs/news.php?id=4392 |title=Changes of Constitution leading to new elections |publisher=Blic.rs |access-date=30 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509080820/http://www.blic.rs/news.php?id=4392 |archive-date=9 May 2009 }} However, the proposals haven't came to fruition.

During his visit to Serbia in May 2009, Lech Kaczyński, President of Poland, stated that he doesn't agree with the decision of the Polish Government to recognise the independence of Kosovo and that he as the President "favours the policy pursued by Serbian President Boris Tadić". They also discussed energy, particularly Europe's dependence on natural gas from just one source, and agreed that there is a need for a common EU energy policy that should also include the Balkan states.{{cite web |url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2009&mm=05&dd=14&nav_id=59134 |title=Kaczynski: EU's doors open to Serbia |publisher=B92.net |access-date=30 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607155440/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2009&mm=05&dd=14&nav_id=59134 |archive-date=7 June 2011}}

File:Joseph Biden and Boris Tadić.jpg meets Tadić during the state visit to Serbia in May 2009]]

On 21 May 2009, Dragan Marić, a former businessman who was revolted over the court decision in his dispute with the national air carrier Jat Airways, entered the Presidency office carrying two hand grenades and seeking an out-of-court settlement signed by President or Government. Members of the Battalion of Military Police Cobras, providing security to the President of Serbia, managed to take one of the grenades immediately and isolate the attacker, however the perpetrator removed the pin from the second grenade and threatened to detonate it by releasing the lever. The negotiations were handled by the special team of the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs, supported by the officials of the Ministry of Justice, and lasted for several hours until the man was disarmed and arrested. After the incident, Tadić, who was present in the secured area of the building, congratulated the police and army special units, the security and negotiation team for doing a terrific job, peacefully and with no casualties and also said that problems, no matter what kind, cannot be resolved by force and by jeopardising citizens' lives.{{cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-05/22/content_11415768.htm |title=Serbian man disarmed after storming into presidential building with hand grenades |agency=Xinhua News Agency |date=22 May 2009 |access-date=30 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106143226/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-05/22/content_11415768.htm |archive-date=6 November 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4270134,00.html |title=Serbian police disarm man at president's office |publisher=Dw-world.de |access-date=30 May 2011}}

In October 2009, after the Serbia national team qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Tadić and other Serbian ministers celebrated at the end of the match in Belgrade's Red Star Stadium by toasting the winning team with a glass of champagne. It is illegal to consume alcohol at Serbian sporting events, in order to stop violence. Tadić pleaded guilty, saying "I did not know that consumption of alcohol, even if only for a toast, has been forbidden so I fully take responsibility for the violation" and was fined €400.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8401974.stm|title=Serbia President Boris Tadic fined for champagne toast|publisher=BBC |date=8 December 2009}}

File:Jadranka Kosor and Boris Tadić in 2010 07.jpg on 5 March 2010]]

Some observers have describe that the coalition government led by Tadić's Democratic Party introduced some media control mechanisms, which were further developed by the Aleksandar Vučić regime to severely curtail media freedom.{{cite web|last1=Kmezić |first1=Marko|title=Serbia's EU progress report: no progress for press freedom |work=LSE European Politics and Policy (EUROPP) Blog |date=11 November 2015|url=http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/70864/1/blogs.lse.ac.uk-Serbias%20EU%20progress%20report%20no%20progress%20for%20press%20freedom.pdf}} Ljiljana Smajlović, editor-in-chief of Politika, has accused Tadić several times of pressuring editorial politics.{{cite news |title=Smenjuje me Tadić |url=http://www.uns.org.rs/sr/desk/vesti-iz-medija/114/smenjuje-me-tadic.html |access-date=9 May 2019 |agency=Standard |date=6 October 2008 |language=sr}}{{cite news |title=Mešanje u uređivačku politiku |url=https://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2008&mm=03&dd=29&nav_category=11&nav_id=291451&version=amp |access-date=9 May 2019 |agency=B92 |date=29 March 2009 |language=sr}} Following his defeat at the 2012 presidential elections, Tadić and main opposition candidate Tomislav Nikolić had similar media coverage, but the campaign coverage was characterised by the lack of analytical and critical reporting, while some media outlets such as the weekly NIN and tabloid Blic showed a preference for Tadić.{{cite web|url=https://www.osce.org/odihr/92509?download=true|title=Parliamentary and early presidential election 2012, OSCE/ODIHR Election Assessment Mission Final Report|publisher=Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|access-date=6 December 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Barlovac |first1=Bojana |title=Election Wrong Calls Highlight Serbian Media Bias |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2012/06/07/election-wrong-calls-highlight-serbian-media-bias/ |access-date=3 April 2019 |agency=BIRN |publisher=Balkan Insight |date=7 June 2012}}

Advisors to the President of the Republic carry out the analytical, advisory and other corresponding tasks for the needs of the President of the Republic as well as other expert tasks in relations of the President with the Government and the Parliament.{{cite web |date=30 May 2011|url=http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=102500&g=20060929132051&lng=eng&hs1=1 |title=Office of the President |publisher=Predsednik.rs |access-date=30 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090121042507/http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=102500&g=20060929132051&lng=eng&hs1=1 |archive-date=21 January 2009 |url-status=dead }}

Chief of Staff is Miodrag Rakić. Acting Secretary General of the Office of the President was Vladimir Cvijan from 2008 to 2010.

Previous advisors who served from 2005 to 2008 are Biserka Jevtimijević Drinjaković (economic issues), Vladimir Cvijan (legal issues) and Dušan T. Bataković and Leon Kojen (political issues). Most of the former advisors are now serving as directors of public enterprises and ambassadors.

On 5 April 2012, a day after announcing his decision, Tadić submitted his resignation to the speaker of parliament, Slavica Đukić-Dejanović, who then took over as acting president. This led to bringing forward the presidential election[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/serbian-president-boris-tadic-resigns-7618218.html The Independent – Serbian President Boris Tadic resigns] to coincide with the parliamentary election on 6 May.[http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2012/04/20124483120488438.html Serbia's president set to trigger early vote – Europe – Al Jazeera English]

Amid controversy regarding the legitimacy of the third mandate and the legality of certain decisions,]http://www.ifimes.org/en/8361-is-tadic-entitled-to-the-third-term-of-office incumbent Tadić lost the presidential elections to his opponent, Tomislav Nikolić from the Serbian Progressive Party. Nikolić won 49.7% of the votes in the runoff vote, versus 47% for Tadić, according to data from the Serbian Center for Free Elections and Democracy.[http://www.cesid.org/ CeSID i TANJUG broje glasove pred očima javnosti] {{in lang|sr}} The result was considered somewhat of a surprise, as Tadić had exploited his resignation for the presidential vote to coincide with parliamentary elections.

Tadić was criticised both inside and outside the party for the manoeuvre of calling early presidential elections without a clear goal, and entering them with over-confidence.{{citation|title=Former nationalist ousts Tadic |url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2012/05/serbias-presidential-election |newspaper=The Economist|date=21 May 2012}} Dragan Đilas, long-time mayor of Belgrade and one of rare Democrats who remained in his seat after 2012 elections, announced that he would challenge Tadić in December party elections. After a period of gauging the odds, it became obvious that Đilas would receive majority support. Before the electoral conference, Đilas and Tadić reached a face-saving agreement whereby Tadić would step down from the race and remain the party's honorary president, and Đilas thus became the only major candidate.{{citation |title=Dragan Djilas new leader of Democratic party, Boris Tadic honorary president |url=http://english.blic.rs/Society/9180/Dragan-Djilas-new-leader-of-Democratic-party-Boris-Tadic-honorary-president |publisher=Blic |date=5 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222193116/http://english.blic.rs/Society/9180/Dragan-Djilas-new-leader-of-Democratic-party-Boris-Tadic-honorary-president |archive-date=22 February 2014}} Đilas was elected president of the Democratic Party on 25 November 2012.{{citation|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/belgrade-mayor-djilas-takes-over-helm-of-democrats |title=Belgrade Mayor Djilas Takes Over Helm of Democrats |date=26 November 2012 |publisher=Balkan Insight |first=Bojana|last=Barlovac}}

In early 2014, after losing the internal reelections in the Democratic Party to Dragan Đilas,{{citation |url=http://www.tanjug.rs/news/113731/djilas-stays-leader-of-democratic-party.htm |title=Djilas stays leader of Democratic Party |publisher=Tanjug |date=19 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140121212835/http://www.tanjug.rs/news/113731/djilas-stays-leader-of-democratic-party.htm |archive-date=21 January 2014}} Tadić resigned from his position of honorary president and left the party.{{citation |url=http://www.tanjug.rs/news/115179/former-president-of-serbia-leaves-ds--.htm |title=Former president of Serbia leaves DS |publisher=Tanjug |date=30 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201171507/http://www.tanjug.rs/news/115179/former-president-of-serbia-leaves-ds--.htm |archive-date=1 February 2014}} Subsequently, a number of prominent party members defected from the party and stated that they intend to form a list in the forthcoming parliamentary election with Tadić as its leader. A coalition was agreed upon with the League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina. A political party, named the New Democratic Party, was then formed and registered.{{citation |url=http://www.tanjug.rs/news/115712/tadic-to-initiate-party-registration-on-wednesday--.htm |title=Tadic to initiate party registration on Wednesday |publisher=Tanjug |date=4 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222021810/http://www.tanjug.rs/news/115712/tadic-to-initiate-party-registration-on-wednesday--.htm |archive-date=22 February 2014}} In the same year the party was renamed Social Democratic Party (Serbia). In the 2023 Serbian parliamentary election, SDS took part as part of the Good Morning Serbia alliance.

Following the 2008 election, Tadić's Democratic Party was unable to form a pro-European government with the hard-line Liberal Democratic Party. Faced with the possibility of a eurosceptic government led by the Democratic Party of Serbia, the Serbian Radical Party and the post-Milošević Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), Tadić proposed a coalition with the SPS. On 7 June 2008 at an assembly of the Main Board of the Democratic Party, Tadić compared the DS and the SPS saying that both grieved over the loss of their presidents, Đinđić and Milošević. His address was heavily criticised by members of the Liberal Democratic Party, the League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina and the Social Democratic Union.{{cite web |title=Tadiću mandat DS-a za pregovore |url=https://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2008&mm=06&dd=08&nav_category=418&nav_id=302636 |publisher=B92 |access-date=28 January 2019 |language=sr |date=8 June 2008}}{{cite web |last1=Matović |first1=Dragana |title="Nacionalno pomirenje" odlaže nove izbore |url=http://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/44965/%D0%9F%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B0/%D0%9D%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%BD%D0%BE-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B5%D1%9A%D0%B5-%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B6%D0%B5-%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B5-%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%B1%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B5 |publisher=Politika |access-date=28 January 2019 |language=sr |date=9 June 2008}}

On 18 October 2008 Tadić and Ivica Dačić, President of the Socialist Party of Serbia, signed a Declaration of Political Reconciliation drafted in July,{{cite web |title=Deklaracija o pomirenju Demokrata i Socijalista |url=https://www.dw.com/sr/deklaracija-o-pomirenju-demokrata-i-socijalista/a-3473521 |publisher=Deutsche Welle |access-date=28 January 2019 |language=sr |date=10 July 2008}} agreeing on further EU integration and negotiations with Kosovo based on UN Resolution 1244.{{cite web |title=Deklaracija o pomirenju DS i SPS |url=https://pescanik.net/deklaracija-o-pomirenju-ds-i-sps/ |publisher=Peščanik |access-date=28 January 2019 |language=sr |date=19 October 2008}} The Declaration was again viewed as exonerating Milošević's regime and the G17 Plus, the Serbian Renewal Movement and League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina refused to sign it despite supporting the government.{{cite web |title=Dačić hoće da se miri i sa Dinkićem, Čankom i Draškovićem |url=https://www.danas.rs/drustvo/dacic-hoce-da-se-miri-i-sa-dinkicem-cankom-i-draskovicem/ |publisher=Danas |access-date=28 January 2019 |language=sr |date=24 July 2008}}{{cite web |title=SPO neće da potpiše deklaraciju o pomirenju |url=http://mondo.rs/a107214/Info/Srbija/SPO-nece-da-potpise-deklaraciju-o-pomirenju.html |publisher=Mondo |access-date=28 January 2019 |language=sr |date=6 August 2008}} It was also criticised by the right-wing Dveri and the Serbian Radical Party who called the declaration a reconciliation of the two wings of the League of Communists who split at the 8th Session.{{cite web |last1=Popović |first1=A. |title=Milošević više nije "balkanski kasapin"? |url=http://www.glas-javnosti.rs/clanak/politika/glas-javnosti-13-07-2008/milosevic-vise-nije-balkanski-kasapin |publisher=Glas javnosti |access-date=28 January 2019 |language=sr |date=13 July 2008}}{{cite web |last1=Bojić |first1=B. |title=DS-SPS: Počnimo Ljubav Iz Početka |url=http://www.pressonline.rs/info/politika/49386/ds-sps-pocnimo-ljubav-iz-pocetka.html |publisher=Press |access-date=28 January 2019 |language=sr |date=19 October 2008}} Tadić defended the reconciliation after the 2012 presidential election reiterating that Serbia was in need of consensus-building policies.{{cite web |title=Tadić: Hrvatska i Srbija moraju udružiti ekonomske potencijale i zaboraviti prošlost |url=http://www.seebiz.eu/tadic-hrvatska-i-srbija-moraju-udruziti-ekonomske-potencijale-i-zaboraviti-proslost/ar-48828/ |publisher=SEEbiz |access-date=28 January 2019 |language=hr |date=28 October 2012}}

{{See also|Media freedom in Serbia}}

In 2011 Report, the Freedom House described the media situation as generally free and stated that press operated with little government interference, although most media outlets are thought to be aligned with specific political parties.{{cite web |title=Freedom in the World 2011: Serbia|url=https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2011/serbia |access-date=24 January 2020 |publisher=Freedom House}} Some observers have describe that the coalition government led by Tadić's Democratic Party introduced some media control mechanisms, which were further developed by the Aleksandar Vučić regime to severely curtail media freedom.{{cite journal|last1=Castaldo|first1=Antonino|last2=Pinna|first2=Alessandra|title=De-Europeanization in the Balkans. Media freedom in post-Milošević Serbia |journal=European Politics and Society |date=2017|volume=19|issue=3|pages=264–281|doi=10.1080/23745118.2017.1419599|hdl=10451/30737|s2cid=159002076|hdl-access=free}}{{cite web|last1=Kmezić |first1=Marko|title=Serbia's EU progress report: no progress for press freedom |work=LSE European Politics and Policy (EUROPP) Blog |date=11 November 2015|url=http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/70864/1/blogs.lse.ac.uk-Serbias%20EU%20progress%20report%20no%20progress%20for%20press%20freedom.pdf}}

Media associations criticised the ruling coalition for adopting the controversial Law on Public Information proposed by the G17 Plus.{{cite web |last1=Didanović |first1=Vera |title=Uređivanje Srbije |url=https://www.vreme.com/cms/view.php?id=884145|publisher=Vreme |access-date=24 January 2020 |language=sr |date=3 September 2009}}

On 8 April 2011 the European Federation of Journalists wrote to Tadić that press freedom in Serbia was seriously compromised, that the safety of investigative journalists in Loznica and Belgrade was threatened and that independent newspapers were struggling against economic pressure and political interference, sometimes even against undue judiciary pressure through court decisions.{{cite news |title=European Federation of Journalists writes to Serbian president |url=https://www.b92.net/eng/insight/pressroom.php?yyyy=2011&mm=04&nav_id=73765 |access-date=5 April 2019 |agency=B92 |date=12 April 2011}} The two main journalism associations and the journalists' union stated support for the letter.{{cite news |title=UNS, NUNS i SNS pozdravili pismo Keninga Tadiću |url=https://www.danas.rs/drustvo/uns-nuns-i-sns-pozdravili-pismo-keninga-tadicu/ |access-date=5 April 2019 |agency=Danas |date=17 July 2011 |language=sr}} Ljiljana Smajlović, editor-in-chief of Politika, has accused Tadić several times of pressuring editorial politics.

In September 2011 the Anti-Corruption Council, led by Verica Barać and with the support of Commissioner for Information of Public Importance Rodoljub Šabić, Ombudsman Saša Janković, and presidents of the two main journalism associations Ljiljana Smajlović and Vukašin Obradović, published a report detailing the state of the freedom of the press in Serbia from January 2008 to June 2010. The Council concluded that the media in Serbia was overwhelmed by strong political pressure, that full control over the media was established, that no medium broadcast objective and complete information, and that events were censored or reported on selectively and incompletely. The report concluded that marketing agencies owned by senior Democratic Party officials and Tadić's close associates, namely Srđan Šaper and Dragan Đilas, held a significant share of the advertising market.{{cite web |title=Predstavljen Izveštaj o pritiscima i kontroli medija u Srbiji |url=http://www.antikorupcija-savet.gov.rs/izvestaji/cid1028-1681/predstavljen-izvestaj-o-pritiscima-i-kontroli-medija-u-srbiji |publisher=Savet za borbu protiv korupcije |access-date=3 April 2019 |language=sr |date=29 September 2011}}{{cite web |title=Sažetak Izveštaja o pritiscima i kontroli medija |url=http://www.antikorupcija-savet.gov.rs/Storage/Global/Documents/mediji/UKRATKO%20IZ%20IZVESTAJA%20O%20MEDIJIMA.pdf |website=antikorupcija-savet.gov.rs |publisher=Savet za borbu protiv korupcije |access-date=8 December 2019 |language=sr}}

Following his defeat at the 2012 presidential elections, Tadić and main opposition candidate Tomislav Nikolić had similar media coverage, but the campaign coverage was characterised by the lack of analytical and critical reporting, while some media outlets such as the weekly NIN and tabloid Blic showed a preference for Tadić.{{cite web|url=https://www.osce.org/odihr/92509?download=true|title=Parliamentary and early presidential election 2012, OSCE/ODIHR Election Assessment Mission Final Report|publisher=Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|access-date=6 December 2019}} On the other hand, the election observation organisations highlighted the many national-frequency televisions broadcast more affirmative content about the opposition parties.{{cite web |title=Mediji u izborima – Monitoring medija-Izborna kampanja 2012|url=http://www.birodi.rs/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Mediji-u-izborima.pdf |access-date=24 January 2020 |publisher=Biro za društvena istraživanja}}

File:Boris Tadić sa porodicom 2012.jpg

Tadić's sister, Vjera, is a psychologist and currently teaches psychology in the First Belgrade Gymnasium. Besides his native language, Boris Tadić is reportedly fluent in English, French, Italian and German.{{cite web|title=Putin to talk pipeline, attend football game|url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=03&dd=22&nav_id=73361|work=B92|access-date=22 March 2011|archive-date=26 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326175209/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=03&dd=22&nav_id=73361|url-status=dead}}

He was previously married to journalist Veselinka Zastavniković from 1980 to 1996, but they divorced, having had no children.{{cite web|title=Ko je Irina?|date=15 October 2007|publisher=Savet Pančevačkih Seniora|url=http://www.spaspvo.eu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=173&Itemid=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008192837/http://www.spaspvo.eu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=173&Itemid=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 October 2010|work=JUGpress|access-date=26 December 2008|language=sr}} They met in the 1970s.{{Cite web |url=http://www.jutarnji.hr/veselinka-zastavnikovic--bilaj-je-militantna-protivnica-religije--sokirala-nas-je-kada-je-otisla-u-manastir/892843/ |title=Veselinka Zastavniković: Bilaj je militantna protivnica religije. Šokirala nas je kada je otišla u manastir – mJutarnji |access-date=7 August 2011 |archive-date=7 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107222345/http://www.jutarnji.hr/veselinka-zastavnikovic--bilaj-je-militantna-protivnica-religije--sokirala-nas-je-kada-je-otisla-u-manastir/892843 |url-status=dead }} Throughout their marriage they were actively involved in various socio-political activities including protests and petitions against human-rights abuses and so-called 'verbal delict' in SFR Yugoslavia in the 1980s as well as anti-Milošević protests in the 1990s.

Tadić was married to Tatjana Rodić, with whom he has two daughters. The couple separated in 2019.{{cite web |title=Борис Тадић |url=http://www.sds-org.rs/o-nama/biografije/boris-tadic |website=SDS official site |access-date=27 January 2021 |language=sr |quote="From the official site of his party, SDS, before Награде и признања heading: Имао је два брака. У првом браку је био до 1997. године, а у другом до 2019. године. (He had two marriages. The first one lasted until 1997, the second one until 2019.)" |archive-date=14 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714170604/https://www.sds-org.rs/o-nama/biografije/boris-tadic |url-status=dead }}[http://www.alo.rs/vesti/37497/Porfirije_ispoveda_Tanju_Tadic Alo Info re Tatjana Tadić] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517071615/http://www.alo.rs/vesti/37497/Porfirije_ispoveda_Tanju_Tadic |date=17 May 2011 }}

He is {{convert|6|ft|2|in|cm}} tall.{{Cite news|title=Samo još nekoliko santimetara, molim!|date=19 July 2008|language=sr|newspaper=Novosti Online|url=http://www.novosti.rs/vesti/planeta.70.html:219258-Samo-jos-nekoliko-santimetara-molim|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303181049/http://www.novosti.rs/vesti/planeta.70.html%3A219258-Samo-jos-nekoliko-santimetara-molim|archive-date=3 March 2014|url-status=live}}

Tadić's maternal grandfather was Strahinja Kićanović, a wealthy tradesman and landowner who unsuccessfully ran twice for the office of member of parliament.{{cite web|url=http://www.nspm.rs/politicki-leksikon/boris-tadic-%E2%80%93-psiholog-na-trajnom-radu-u-politici.html?alphabet=l |title= Boris Tadić – psiholog na trajnom radu u politici {{!}} Politički leksikon |website= nspm.rs |access-date= 14 January 2017 |language= sr}} He was killed during World War II at the Jadovno camp.{{cite web|url=http://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/182302/Tadic-na-komemoraciji-u-Jadovnom | title=Tadić na komemoraciji u Jadovnom| trans-title=Tadić at the commemoration in Jadovno|access-date=14 January 2017|language=sr}} Although this is today a well-known fact stated by Tadić on several occasions, Yugoslav communist authorities falsely listed Strahinja Kićanović as being killed simultaneously both at Jadovno and Jasenovac.{{cite web|url=http://www.muzejgenocida.rs/images/ZrtvePub/Hrv.pdf | title=Žrtve rata 1941–1945 | trans-title=Victims of war 1941–1945 | access-date=1 January 2018|language=sr}} This false claim was later even restated by institutions in Croatia and the United States.{{cite web|url=https://www.ushmm.org/online/hsv/person_view.php?PersonId=7513659 | title=Holocaust Survivors and Victims Database – STRAHINJA KIĆANOVIĆ | access-date=14 January 2018|language=en}}{{cite web|url=https://narod.hr/kultura/nikola-banic-i-m-koic-laganje-o-borisu-tadicu-i-jasenovcu | title=Laganje o Borisu Tadiću i Jasenovcu| date=25 June 2016|access-date=14 January 2018|language=hr}}

On 4 August 2007, Tadić was awarded the European Prize for Political Culture that is given by the Swiss Foundation Hans Ringier of the Ringier Publishing House in Locarno. Previously it was awarded to Jean-Claude Juncker. Tadić decided to donate the financial part of the award for humanitarian purposes for the maternity hospital in a town near Gračanica.{{cite web|url=http://www.ringier.ch/index.cfm?id=5068&detail=true|title="European Prize for Political Culture" awarded to Boris Tadic|publisher=Ringier Publishing Switzerland|date=4 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070812072327/http://www.ringier.ch/index.cfm?id=5068&detail=true|archive-date=12 August 2007|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|title=President Tadić and German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Kosovo|publisher=General Secretariat of the President of Serbia|date=5 August 2007|url=http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=304500&g=20070829100944&lng=eng&hs1=0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005005613/http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=304500&g=20070829100944&lng=eng&hs1=0|archive-date=5 October 2011|url-status=dead}}

File:Quadriga-verleihung-rr-20.jpg awards ceremony with Gerhard Schröder.]]

Tadić received the Quadriga award in September 2008, an annual German award sponsored by Werkstatt Deutschland, a non-profit organisation based in Berlin. The award recognises four people or groups for their commitment to innovation, renewal, and a pioneering spirit through political, economic, and cultural activities. The other three winners were Wikipedia, represented by Jimmy Wales; Eckart Höfling, Franciscan and director; and Peter Gabriel, musician and human rights activist. The award given to Tadić was named The Courage of Perseverance and was presented by Heinz Fischer, the Federal President of Austria.{{cite web |url=http://loomarea.com/die_quadriga/e/index.php?title=Award_2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110821144124/http://loomarea.com/die_quadriga/e/index.php?title=Award_2008 |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 August 2011 |title=Die Quadriga – Award 2008 |publisher=Loomarea |access-date=24 December 2008 }}

In March 2010, Tadić received the Steiger Award Europe of the Rhine-Ruhr for "respectfulness, openness, humanity, and tolerance".{{cite web |url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/society-article.php?yyyy=2010&mm=03&dd=13&nav_id=65779 |title=Tadić to receive Steiger award |publisher=B92.net |access-date=30 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607155606/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/society-article.php?yyyy=2010&mm=03&dd=13&nav_id=65779 |archive-date=7 June 2011}}

In 2011, Tadić won the North-South Prize awarded by the Council of Europe and distinguishing his deep commitment and actions for the promotion and protection of human rights, defence of pluralist democracy, and the strengthening partnership of the north–south solidarity.

In 2012, in Brussels, Tadić, together with the ex-President of Croatia Ivo Josipović, was awarded the European Medal of Tolerance by the European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation, in recognition of the Balkan statesmen's "significant contribution to promoting, seeking, safeguarding or maintaining Tolerance and Reconciliation on the European continent".[http://www.ejpress.org/article/62428 Balkan leaders honoured for ‘tolerance, honesty, moral courage, and reconciliation’ at European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation ceremony (European Jewish Press)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120105927/http://www.ejpress.org/article/62428 |date=20 November 2012 }}

• European Prize for Political Culture by Ringier in 2007;
• Medal For the Contribution to the Victory of Russian Federation in 2008;
• The Courage of Perseverance by Quadriga in 2008;
• Golden Keys of the City of Madrid in 2009;
• Honorary doctorate of Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University in 2009;
• 40 Years of Revolution Medal of Libya in 2009;
• Steiger Award of Rhine-Ruhr in 2010;
• Golden Medal of Hellenic Parliament in 2010;
• Jubilee Medal "65 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945" from the Russian Federation in 2010;
• North–South Prize of the Council of Europe in 2011;
• Order of the Republika Srpska of Republika Srpska in 2012; and
• Ilyas Afandiyev International Prize of Azerbaijan in 2012.
• European Medal of Tolerance by the European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation in 2012.

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Cnote2 Begin|liststyle=upper-alpha}}

{{Cnote2|a|It is his de jure first term, as Tadić was elected under previous constitution for the first term.}}

{{Cnote2 End}}

{{Commons}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• [http://www.cmv.org.rs/ Centre for modern skills]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080225141059/http://www.boristadic.org/ 2008 Official Presidential Campaign Website]
• [https://www.youtube.com/profile?user=PredsednikBorisTadic Boris Tadić YouTube channel]
• [http://www.myspace.com/predsednikboristadic Boris Tadić MySpace campaign page]

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Category:1958 births

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